Oops, what’s going on in one of German television’s parade crime thrillers? Lukas Gregorowicz leaves the “Polizeiruf 110” of the Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg, and Verena Altenberger quits the “Polizeiruf 110” of the Bayerischer Rundfunk.
Gregorowicz has played chief inspector Adam Raczek in the crime series since 2015. Until 2020 he formed a Polish-German duo alongside Maria Simon (aka Olga Lenski), from 2021 he continued with André Kaczmarczyk as Vincent Ross.
The ARD audience will be able to see Gregorowicz again in his role as commissioner, the last case “abyss” is not over yet. RBB is now shooting a crime thriller with André Kaczmarczyk as a solo investigator, and the broadcaster is still working on a successor plan for Lukas Gregorowicz, as can be heard from RBB.
Lucas Gregorowicz said on his farewell: “After seven years and twelve adventures, it’s time to go. I am very grateful for this time: for the people I was able to work with, the friendships and the chance to show my own Polish side in this being able to live out the first-class format, Maria Simon, the broadcaster rbb and the always great teams and fantastic colleagues on both sides of the border. Above all, I would like to thank the viewers who took this daring step to the Polish border with all the heights and depths went with us. And André Kaczmarczyk for love and trust. Last but not least, Adam Raczek: I will miss you, my friend.”
Martina Zöllner, head of culture and film at RBB, added according to a broadcaster’s statement on Tuesday: “We respect Lucas Gregorowicz’s decision and thank him for twelve very special episodes, which he played a decisive role in shaping as chief inspector Adam Raczek. We wish him for the future All the best.”
Udo Wachtveitl and Miroslav Nemec will investigate as Munich “Tatort” commissioners into the last days of mankind, but their “Polizeiruf 110” colleague Verena Altenberger will say goodbye after six crime novels. In a statement from Bayerischer Rundfunk on Monday, it says, “After five special and successful police call 110 operations, Verena Altenberger will be in front of the camera in autumn 2022, together with Stephan Zinner, for her sixth and last case as Elisabeth ‘Bessie’ Eyckhoff “.
Because she was looking for new acting challenges, she then said goodbye to the Munich police call 110. Planned broadcast of the case with the working title “Paranoia”: first half of 2023. The broadcaster wants to inform you about your successor shortly.
The farewells of Altenberger and Gregorowicz show: Due to the very high demand for (prominent) actors, they can choose their roles more than before. Of course, an engagement in “Tatort” and “Polizeiruf 110” is a special engagement, but unlike in previous years and decades, the actors are not looking for a lifelong job. Gladly a few years, but then we look around. The inspector becomes a life stage task.
“It was difficult for me to say goodbye to the Munich ‘police call’, Elisabeth Eyckhoff has become very dear to me over the past four years,” Altenberger said in a statement. She thanked the editors, authors like Günter Schütter and directors like Dominik Graf. “I’ve learned a lot, I’ve experienced a lot, and I was able to rediscover Munich, this great city, all over again. I am very grateful for the many wonderful reactions from the audience, the nominations for the Grimme Prize and – unfortunately not entirely unimportant – the good ratings.”
She is a person who likes to go when it is most beautiful. “It pulls me on and I’m looking for new challenges.” Before the Munich thriller, the Austrian actress acted very successfully in the RTL comedy “Magda macht das schon”.
“The ‘Polizeiruf 110’ is one of the most traditional series on German television, and the Munich ‘Polizeiruf 110’ is a particular highlight. From Gaby Dohm or Michaela May and Edgar Selge to Matthias Brandt and finally Verena Altenberger: They all told great stories and won the hearts of audiences and critics alike. We very much regret that Verena Altenberger is now leaving the police call and wish her all the best for the future,” said Bettina Ricklefs, head of the BR program area.
